Storm Debris Cleanup and RemovalThe City is relaxing some of its normal requirements for removal of tree debris on private property until Tuesday, November 13. City crews will be collecting tree debris from the curb and public rights-of-way over the next week. If you remove tree debris on your property, place them on the curb in pieces that you can safely handle, even if you have alley collection. If a professional tree removal contractor is hired, they are required to remove all debris from the site.

Leaf CollectionLeaf collection services will start Monday, November 5. Bags will be collected at the front curb one business day after your regular refuse collection day. Don’t know your leaf collection date? Confused about your ‘leaf collection zone’? Need additional information? Visit: alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection. Loose Leaf Collection Updates• Residents in Zone 2 should rake out on November 3, for pickup on November 5.• Residents in Zone 3 should rake out on November 6, for pickup on November 8.• Residents in Zone 4 should rake out on November 12, for pickup on November 14.• Residents in Zone 1 should rake out on November 17, for pickup on November 19.

Paper Leaf Bags AvailableThe City’s leaf collection program offers paper leaf bags, which are available for free to City residents who receive City refuse collection services. Remember, fifteen bags per visit. For specific locations, hours, and more information visit: alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection.

America Recycles Day is November 15Join thousands of Americans by pledging to recycle more on Thursday, November 15. As part of the City’s Eco-City Alexandria initiative, the City strives to continue increasing the residential and commercial recycling rates. How are you recycling more? Make the pledge online. For more information about the City’s recycling program visit: alexandriava.gov/Recycling.

Alexandria Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect involved in the attempted robbery of the Shell Gas Station, located at 4670 Duke Street. On Monday, October 22, at 7:45 a.m., the suspect entered the business, implied he had a weapon and demanded money. The employee fought back and the suspect fled the store without getting any money. He was last on foot heading westbound on Duke Street. The victim was not injured.

The suspect is described as a black male, in his mid-thirties, 5’10” to 5’11”, with a stocky build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

Anyone with information about this case or who recognizes the suspect in the surveillance photos is asked to call Detective Sean Casey of the Criminal Investigations Section at 703.746.6853.

It's Halloween. Tonight a lot of creatures will visit your door. Be open minded. The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues. The child who does not say trick or treat or thank you might be shy or non-verbal. The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have an allergy. The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism. Be nice. Be patient. It's everyone's Halloween. Make a parent feel good by making a big deal of their special child.

On Wednesday, October 31, all City of Alexandria government offices and facilities, including courts, will be open on time. DASH bus service and the King Street Trolley will operate on a normal schedule.

A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday. Flooding is expected to be minor. Current forecasts predict possible flooding in the 100 block of King Street early Thursday morning. No flooding of the City's streams is expected. As a precaution, sandbags are being distributed until 6 p.m. today, October 30, at Market Square (301 King St). There’s a limit of five bags per vehicle, and residents will be asked to show ID.

Storm Debris Cleanup and Removal

The City is relaxing some of its normal requirements for removal of tree debris on private property until Tuesday, November 13. City crews will be collecting tree debris from the curb and public rights-of-way over the next week. If you remove tree debris on your property, place them on the curb in pieces that you can safely handle, even if you have alley collection. If a professional tree removal contractor is hired, they are required to remove all debris from the site.

The City reminds residents to stay away from tree limbs that may be leaning on power lines and to avoid downed wires; to report these, call Dominion Virginia Power at 1.866.DOM.HELP (1.866.366.4357).

Refuse and Recycling Collection

City refuse and recycling services (not leaf collection) will resume on Wednesday, October 31, with a delayed schedule.

Monday’s collection will now occur on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s collection will occur on Thursday.

Wednesday’s collection will occur on Friday.

Thursday’s collection occur on Saturday.

Leaf Collection

Leaf collection services will resume Monday, November 5. Bags will be collected at the front curb one business day after your regular refuse collection day. Due to severe weather and heavy rains, the City asks that residents not rake wet leaves into the street for collection until next week. Instead, residents should bag leaves for collection.

Loose Leaf Collection Updates

Residents in Zone 2 should rake out on November 3, for pickup on November 5.

Residents in Zone 3 should rake out on November 6, for pickup on November 8.

Residents in Zone 4 should rake out on November 12, for pickup on November 14.

Residents in Zone 1 should rake out on November 17, for pickup on November 19.

The Storm Hotline 703.746.HELP (4357) will close at 7 p.m. today. Residents with questions about blocked roadways, storm drains, or other emergency maintenance concerns should call 703.746.4488. Residents with questions about trash, recycling and leaf collection services should call 703.746.4410. General questions should be directed to 703.746.4800.

Monday, October 29, 2012

City of Alexandria Government Closed Tuesday, October 30For Immediate Release: October 29, 2012
City of Alexandria government facilities, public schools, courts and non-emergency services, are closed or cancelled on Tuesday, October 30. Essential employees should report to work as scheduled. All refuse collection services (including trash, recycling, and leaves) are suspended for Tuesday, October 30. To the extent possible, please secure any trash and containers until collection resumes.
Additionally, in-person absentee voting has been suspended for October 30, and there will be no DASH bus service that day.
Please check alexandriava.gov/Storm regularly for updates.

A High Wind Warning is now in effect for Alexandria through Tuesday evening, October 30. Residents are urged to stay home and remain indoors as Hurricane Sandy begins to move through the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Tuesday evening.

Today, all Alexandria government facilities, public schools, courts, non-emergency services and public transportation services are closed or cancelled. In-person absentee voting will not take place on Monday. All trash collection services (including refuse, recycling, and leaves) are suspended for Monday, October 29. The City has activated its Emergency Operations Center.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

For Monday, October 29, 2012, all Alexandria government facilities, public schools, courts, non-emergency services, and public transportation services are closed or cancelled. Essential employees should report to work as scheduled. All trash collection services (including refuse, recycling, and leaves) are suspended for Monday, October 29. Please check back here for updates about Tuesday. To the extent possible, please secure any trash and containers until collection resumes. For Monday, October 29, there will be no DASH, Metrobus, Metrorail, VRE, Amtrak, or MARC service in the region. Public safety services, including 911, police, fire, sheriff, and jail services will operate as scheduled. Please prepare now for the possibility that you will be without power for several days. If your power goes out, Dominion Virginia Power will not know about it unless you report it at 1.866.DOM-HELP(1-866-366-4357). If a power outage occurs, do not use candles under any circumstances because they are a fire hazard. Please continue to checkhttp://alexandriava.gov/Stormfor updates.

Metro Service SuspendedIn light of updated forecast information from the National Weather Service projecting higher wind speeds, as well as the closure of Federal Government offices in the Washington area and the possibility of widespread commercial power outages, Metro has announced the following service changes for Monday, October 29, 2012: â€¢ The Metrorail system will be closed on Monday. Rail service on Sunday night will continue operate as scheduled until its normal closing time (midnight). No decision has yet been made on when Metrorail service will be restored after Monday. â€¢ All Metrobus service will be suspended as of the end of the service day on Sunday and remain suspended until further notice. â€¢ All MetroAccess service has been cancelled on Monday.Metro service will only be restored when it is safe to do so. Following the storm, Metro personnel will need to perform a comprehensive damage assessment, including inspections of track, bridges, aerial structures, stations and facilities. Service restoration also will be contingent on adequate commercial power to support operations and repair of any storm-related damage.

City of Alexandria Declares Local Emergency For Immediate Release: October 28, 2012

Today, City Manager Rashad M. Young signed a Declaration of Local Emergency for the City of Alexandria in response to Hurricane Sandy. The declaration was made because Hurricane Sandy is expected to be a powerful, historic storm with potentially damaging winds, rainfall, and storm surge that could cause flooding and other hazardous conditions in Alexandria.

This declaration allows for increased coordination with State resources and provides increased administrative authority, permitting the City to take necessary actions to prepare for and respond to the storm. At this time, the City urges residents to be prepared. Emergency preparedness information, storm updates, and information on cancellations and closings is available at alexandriava.gov/Storm. Residents can also follow the City on Twitter or Facebook, or sign up for eNews updates.

With the potential of heavy rain and flooding in the City of Alexandria due to Hurricane Sandy, residents and businesses in flood-prone areas are advised to be prepared and take necessary precautions for potential flooding. Flooding preparation tips are available at alexandriava.gov/Flooding.

The City is making sandbags available for homes and businesses today, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sandbags will be available at two locations:

Those wishing to receive City sandbags are asked to bring proof of City residency, such as a current driver’s license or utility bill. There is a limit of five bags per person.

A High Wind Warning has been issued for the City of Alexandria from 8 a.m. Monday, October 29, to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30. Winds of more than 45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph are possible. The high winds, coupled with heavy rain from Hurricane Sandy, may lead to significant tree damage and power outages. A Flood Watch is also in effect from late Sunday night through Tuesday evening.

Stay informed about the latest information at alexandriava.gov. Residents can also follow the City of Alexandria on Facebook or Twitter to get regular updates on flooding conditions and sandbag distribution.